PAROLE AND PROBATION
The State Penitentiary’s Board of Trustees dates back to 1891 to 1909 and was empowered to act as a parole board with the with the Governor serving as ex-officio president (S. L. 1891, Ch.92). A Board of Experts was established in 1909 to handle parole cases for the State Penitentiary (S. L. 1901, Ch. 175). From 1909 to 1915, the Board of Experts consisted of the Warden, prison physician, prison chaplain, and one person selected by the Board of Trustees of the State Penitentiary. In 1915, the membership of the Board of Experts was expanded to include a member of the Board of Control and a member selected by the Board of Control. The Board of Pardons assumed the parole duties of the Board of Experts in 1923 (S. L. 1923, Ch. 26).
The State Parole Board was established in 1963 (S. L. 1963, Ch. 124) and consisted of three gubernatorial appointees serving staggered three-year terms. The three ex-officio members of the Board of Pardons (Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) and the State Parole Board jointly appointed a person to serve as the clerk for the State Parole Board and Board of Pardons. The primary function of the Board was to consider State Penitentiary inmate applications for parole, work, or educational release, and supervision of probationers and parolees.
Since the creation of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a change to the State Parole Board addresses the qualifications of potential board member candidates. In 1999 (S. L.1999, Ch.117) the State Parole Board consisted of six members, who were qualified electors of the state, appointed by the Governor to serve three-year terms. One member must be experienced in law enforcement which may include serving as a prosecuting attorney, another must be a licensed attorney, with the remaining members qualified by special experience, education or training.
In 1997 (S. L. 1997, Ch.115) the Pardon Advisory Board was created. The Pardon Advisory Board makes recommendations to the governor concerning any matters involving pardons or commutations of sentence. The Board includes the Attorney General , two members of the Parole Board, and two members appointed by the Governor. The Governor may dissolve the Pardon Advisory Board at any time.
CHRONOLOGY
1909-1923 Board of Experts established to handle parole cases.
1923-1963 Board of Pardons manages parole cases.
1943 Creation of State Farm.
1963 Creation of State Parole Board.
1989 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation created to oversee the programs of the Division of Adult Services, State Correction Centers, Parole Board, Community Services,
and Victims Reparation Act. Director appointed by the Governor.
1991 State Farm renamed Missouri River Correction Center.
1997 Creation of James Valley Correctional Center at Jamestown.
1999-2001 Division of Field Service created to supervise the placement of all adult offenders. Division of Parole and Probation renamed Parole Board and Pardon Advisory Board.
SERIES
Board of Pardons
30365 Calendar of Applications before the State Board of Pardons [RESTRICTED]
30943 Case Record of Board of Pardons Actions on Pardon Applications
31804 Parole and Probation Calendars, minutes, and meeting packets [RESTRICTED]
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